City Action – Haifa, 2006 Tools & Workshops for New Urbanism in Israel Second Annual International Conference November 29-December 1, 2006

Introduction

MIU's second annual International conference on New Urbanism in Israel invites participants from around the world to participate in a discussion of how to apply New Urban principles in Israel. Following the success of last year's conference, which introduced the public and professionals to the core principles and goals of Urbanism in Israel, we ask the question: How can we transform our ideas into action? How can we help the residents and public officials of Haifa and the Galilee rebuild their cities and while doing so create a more humane and sustainable urban environment? www.miu.org.il

The conference will be hosted in the port city of Haifa, http://www.haifa.muni.il , a city that for several weeks found itself on the frontline of war, sustaining missile attacks that have caused damage to the city and terrorized its residents. Haifa is the third largest city in Israel, and the main city in Israel's Northern district, which suffered loss, and heavy damage in the war.

MIU's conference will benefit the people (Jewish, Muslim, Christian) and economy of Haifa by involving residents and stakeholders in planning the restoration of their neighborhoods

The conference will combine lectures and seminars with urban planning workshops involving residents and stakeholders in planning the reconstruction of areas damaged in the war, and areas suffering economic, social and environmental degradation. The conference will introduce the urban planning tools that were created over the last year by leading professionals, members of MIU.

Conference Aims

• Create a partnership with the City of Haifa and its residents, as well as local NGOs, institutions and universities, in a series of planning workshops with public and stakeholder participation (charrettes). The workshops will create new ideas and inspiration for the renewal of Haifa's various centers.
• Increase awareness in the professional and academic community, decision-makers in national and local governments and the public to the importance of urban renewal and cultivation of public space in Israeli cities and neighborhoods.
• Present, discuss and develop applicative tools "the MIU Toolbox" needed to implement New Urban Principles for urban renewal, which creates a humane and sustainable urban environment.

Conference Participants

• Urban planning and building professionals – developers, community & social workers, architects, landscape architects, traffic engineers, infrastructure engineers, economists, geographers and lawyers.
• Residents of Haifa and members of the general public that are interested in improving urban lifestyle and city design.
• City Mayors, City planners, government officials and planners in government and public agencies.
• Voluntary and civic organizations & NGO's, working in Haifa and the Galilee.

Guests of Honor

• Mr. Meir Shitrit the Minister of Housing and Construction
• Mr.Yona Yahav the mayor of our hosting city of Haifa.
• Mr. Enrique Peñalosa (invited) - Former Mayor of Bogotá, Columbia who revolutionized public space in his city.

We are looking forward to meet you in our conference. For more information, please contact us:

Dror Gershon – dror@miu.org.il , Irit Solzi irit@miu.org.il , Dr. Yodan Rofe - yodan@miu.org.il

Sincerely yours,

Irit Solzi, Chair of Board

MIU- Movement for Israeli Urbanism www.miu.org.il

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